Toothbrush



c. (5.: KERR 2,279,687

TOOTHBRUSH Filed May 6, 1940 INVENTOR.

AELES G KERR BY I A ORNEY.

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 Charles G. Kerr, San A1 1selrno,"Calif. I

Application May 6, 1940, Serial No. 333,582

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in toothbrushes and has particular reference to a brush head that is detachable from the handle thereof, whereby the said brush head can be removed after repeated use and consequent wear, and a new brush head can be employed.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a simply constructed cooperative means between the brush head and an extension of the handle thereof so that a most effective securing of the head with relation to the extension and, at the same time, ready release of the detachable parts may be realized.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a most economically constructed brush that is positive in operation and highly efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the handle and the holder;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end sectional view;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the body taken through the grooves in which the holder fits; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the brush head and a portion of the handle, disclosing a modified form of the invention wherein the sides of the brush head are tapered.

It is a well-known fact that the bristles of a toothbrush become worn after repeated use, and, accordingly, the brush proper and the handle are discarded. Therefore, to produce a brush head that may be readily detached from the handle so that a new brush head may be employed, I have devised the present invention.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 6 designates a handle of artistic design that has secured thereto a metallic extension 1 of less width than the handle proper. The said extension is preferably made of spring-like material to realize a definite resiliency that facilitates the securing of the extension to the brush head. It will be observed that the extension is secured at one end, as at 8, to the handle and has provided at its opposite end an integrally formed transverse plate 9 equipped with flanges ID that are inwardly turned at their extremities.

The brush head is indicated as a whole by the numeral II and is of a substantially rectangular configuration. In said brush head there are formed oppositely disposed longitudinal grooves I2 that are provided on the sides of the head and extend from one end thereof to approximately three-fourths the length of the brush head. These grooves receive therein the inturned ends of said flanges [0. Thus, it will be obvious that the said brush head may be readily grasped by the flanges, with the inturned ends thereof being receivable in the longitudinal grooves of the brush head, thereby effecting a positive and firm securing of the head relative to the handle extension 1.

It will be noted, as disclosed to advantage in Fig. 1, that the top of the brush head is slightly raised at its medial portion, thereby compensating for shrinkageshould a plastic material be employed as the material for the brush head. This raised or convex back surface also provides a wedging engagement with the flanged holder since the grooves l2 are straight. g

In the modified form of the invention, disclosed in Fig, 6, I have eliminated the longitudinal grooves, and I have tapered the sides of the brush head as at M. This construction will likewise permit a positive engagement of the inwardly bent side flanges l0 with the said tapered sides l4.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred .example of the same and that various changes relative to the material,

size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

In the modified form of invention, disclosedin Figure 6, I have eliminated the longitudinal grooves, and I have cut away the sides of the brush head as at I4. This construction will likewise permit a positive wedging engagement of holder flanges I 0 with the brush head, especially at the points where the flanges formed by the cut-away portions of the head begin to curve and taper downwardly toward the bristle receiving side of the head as shown in Figure 6.

Another feature of the invention lies in the provision of the diamond-shaped section of the manipulative portion of handle 6 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing. The bristles of brush head II will be seen to lie approximately parallel to one diagonal of the diamond-shaped handle section and in this way the brush will be properly positioned for application to the teeth when the faces of the handle are grasped by the thumb and fingers.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. YA toothbrush comprising a handle, a shank extending from the handle, a holder comprising a transversely extending metal plate provided on said extension and formed at its ends with oppositely disposed inwardly bent hook-like flanges, a brush head adapted to be detachably connected with said holder, said brush head being provided with outwardly extending flanges on its respective sides, said head flanges-decreasing in thickness toward one end of the head, whereby said between the head and handle.

CHARLES G. KERR. 

